Opposition promised no interference with funding

The Opposition in Fiji says the Attorney General has promised not to interfere with parliamentary funding.

Earlier proposed changes gave each party 11,000 US dollars per MP for staffing.

Opposition Whip Ratu Isoa Tikoca says it was unconstitutional to receive funding in such a way as the Secretary-General of Parliament is responsible for distributing funds.

The opposition also alleged the Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum interfered with parliamentary process to force the changes.

Fiji's Members of Parliament Photo: Fiji Department of Information

But Ratu Isoa says the Secretary-General has now taken back responsibility and Mr Sayed-Khaiyum has promised the opposition they will be able to apply for more funding if needed without his interference.

"We are putting our fingers crossed. Things are changing almost everyday and I hope they are truthful to their commitment because the allocation as it stands now is still quite minimal but we'll receive what we have agreed to in the hope that we will expand more negotiations for further funding which will support democracy."